Councilman Eric Crafton is sounding a loud call for Metro government to do more business with Davidson County companies, preparing a bill that would require a second look if locals don’t land a job.

Crafton said he hopes to file a bill this week that would require Metro to offer Davidson County companies a chance to meet or beat bids won by businesses based outside the county — whether they’re part of the Greater Nashville region or out of state. In a situation in which the service or product would be equal, Crafton said Metro should prefer spending local taxpayer dollars on local companies.

“Metro government purchases millions of dollars a year in goods and services,” Crafton, who is considering a run for one of the council’s at-large seats, said today. “And it’s my opinion that all things being equal, I would like to see the contracts go to businesses located in Davidson County first.”

Asked how a Davidson County business might meet a bid it previously lost, Crafton said having a second look might persuade companies to sacrifice some of their margin for the good of creating more work. He said he’s working with council legal staff on whether there are any legal issues with providing a second chance to local companies and will try to work around any that arise.

It’s unclear what kind of reception the bill might get when the larger council reviews it, but Crafton said he “can’t imagine anybody in this city not being for this” if it can be legally implemented. While the policy would create local work, many companies based in nearby Williamson County and elsewhere are among those who make big business out of contracting with Metro government.

He noted that Metro already has policies encouraging small businesses and those owned by women and minorities. Crafton’s policy, though, goes further in some ways and could face opposition from those promoting a more regional economic agenda.

Metro’s current procurement policy requires that minority- and women-owned businesses be included in the bidding process, while procurement for the Music City Center set a goal of 20 percent of contracts going to them. The question of whether enough convention center work has gone to local companies has spurred some controversy.

A vocal conservative on the council who had expressed interest in running against Mayor Karl Dean, Crafton said today he’s leaving that to Councilman Michael Craddock. Crafton faces a term limit this year serving District 22 but said he may seek an at-large seat representing all of Davidson County.